An expanded edition of the game, entitled NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition, will be released on June 26th, 2018. The edition will include the 3C3C1D119440927 expansion along with other smaller DLC items.

Contents

2B, supported by 9S, is sent to the Factory to eliminate their target. After making her way through the facility and being attacked several times by Goliath wheels, 2B makes her way out of the facility without having found her target. 9S informs her that there is another facility across the bridge, but that it's unusual for command to get the location of a target wrong. 2B then tells him that they weren't wrong, as she is attacked by Goliath.

A fight ensues, leading to 9S joining the fight, only to be slammed off his flight unit by Goliath. When Goliath is down, 2B makes her way to the top of him to find a mortally wounded 9S. He implores 2B to leave him to finish the mission and destroy the target. 2B hesitantly complies and takes his flight unit to defeat Goliath. After the target is destroyed, 2B and 9S reunite, only for three more Goliaths to appear and attack them. 2B and 9S are forced to detonate their black boxes in order to destroy the Goliaths, but their fates are left unknown.

Each chapter contains various sub-chapters (for a full list see: Chapters) with some only being revealed after multiple play-thoughs. They can also be replayed via the chapter select menu.

The events of the 14th Machine War unfold through three main characters perspectives, 2B, 9S and A2, whom fight as the last remnants of human civilisation against other-wordly invaders. The battle is not so black-and-white however as the androids begin to question their own motives and the world in which they inhabit whilst being thrown into difficult situations and moral dilemas.

NieR: Automata has 27 endings that are obtainable upon completing specific conditions. 26 (A-Z) in the base game and 1 (◬) in the DLC.

flowers for m[A]chines

Narrated from 2B's perspective.

Following his brother's defeat, Eve goes berserk and attacks 2B and 9S. Eve uses the lifeforce of the remaining machine lifeforms connected to the network to continue his onslaught. 9S hacks into Eve to make an attempt at removing his object control function. During his time inside Eve, 9S is infected by Eve's corruption but ultimately succeeds in eliminating Eve's object control function. When 9S reaches the end of Eve's labyrinth, he sees a giant house containing figments of Eve and Adam sitting across each other. The imaginary Eve wishes talks to the imaginary Adam and wishes to go someplace with him.

Eve kneels before 2B in defeat, calling out to his brother. 2B stabs him in the head, killing him.

At the end of A-route, while attempting to disconnect Eve from the network to stop him from receiving more energy, 9S's data is corrupted. After the final battle with Eve, 9S gradually transforms. Seeing no other choice, 9S asks 2B to finish him off, reassuring her that his back up data at the Bunker can always be uploaded to a new body again. 2B protests, pointing out that although it's true, it comes at the cost of himself at the very moment they are talking, but eventually gives in and carries out his wish. Holding 9S's corpse in her arm, 2B breaks down, crying that "It always...ends like this...". However, the machines' data transmission around the battlefield soon starts resonating with each other and 9S intact consciousness is regenerated via the network.

A-route ends with 9S - now in a giant machine body - holding 2B in his hand while she narrates:

"What is it that separates machines from androids like us? The machine has gained emotion...Consciousness. The final screams they summon on the edge of death...They still echo within me."

or not to [B]e

Narrated from 9S's perspective.

During the time 9S is sent back to Bunker for a complete data overhaul following the battle with Adam, he finds a glitch in the Bunker network. Becoming suspicious, 9S stops all of 2B's and his data synchronization and investigates around. He discovers a crucial information: The Council of Humanity is established AFTER the foundation of YoRHa, not the other way around. The Commander meets him outside and confesses that humanity has been indeed long extinct: the Council of Humanity is only created to maintain the android's morale and gives them a purpose in life. She adds that he can do whatever he wants with that information. 9S then heads to Earth to support 2B in the final battle with Eve.

B-route ending is identical to A-route, except this time the two girls in red appear to witness 2B strangling 9S to death, and at the end instead of 2B, it is 9S who narrates:

"And so, the final battle with Adam and Eve came to an end. This battle will likely have a great effect on the outcome of the war. 2B and I-our battle will continue for some time to come. But that's another story for another day"

During the end credit, 9S can't bring himself to tell 2B the truth about humanity and ultimately decides to keep it from her.

meaningless [C]ode

Choosing A2 will yield this ending.

A2 decides to battle 9S and near the battle's end, she cuts off his arm and hacks into his mind with Pod 042's assistance. While navigating the mind of 9S, Pod 042 continuously warns A2 that the chances of removing the corruption plaguing 9S are slim at best. A2 suggests she has a plan but Pod 042 strongly advises against harm against YoRHa units it supports, with A2 expressing admiration at the pod's loyalty. After discovering a slumbering 9S at the end of the labyrinth, A2 tells Pod 042 to take care of 9S while she tries to accomplish one more thing.

The body of 9S is lifted away from the site by Pod 042 per A2's instruction. His condition following the structure's destruction is unknown. As Pod 042 leaves with 9S's body, A2 walks towards the pillar of light and hears the laughter of children. She severs the functionality of the structure, causing it to crumble and returning her to reality. A2 mentions that she never realized how beautiful the world was, proclaiming to "everyone" that she is coming. As A2 reaches her hand out to the sky, she perishes within the crumbling structure's decline and debris.

In the aftermath of the credits, the debris from the destruction of the structure is seen throughout the area. A lone moose stares at 2B's sword impaled on a rock, hanging on which is 9S's backpack.

chil[D]hood's end

Choosing 9S will yield this ending.

9S fights A2 with severe malice and is almost overpowered by her. A2 hesitates as she recalls 2B's request and is impaled by 9S's sword. A2 falls to the ground in a pool of her own blood while 9S falls right beside her, impaling himself on 2B's sword. He dies while attempting to get 2B's sword out of his torso but to no avail.

In his final moments, 9S recounts his past and his prior objectives. Feeling a sense of loss over his functions, he is beckoned by Adam to join him and Eve on their Ark. Realizing that the girls in red have decided otherwise in ending humanity, 9S is given the choice of going with the machine lifeforms in the Ark. If he doesn't, before finally shutting down 9S will look up to the sky and say his last words: "So that's where you were...2B".

the [E]nd of YoRHa

After getting endings C and D, the credits will start to flicker giving an opportunity to get this ending. The Pods start rebuilding 9S, 2B, and A2 with all their past memories intact.

A deactivated A2 sits on the edge of an open window while a dove is perched next to her.

mission [F]ailed

Acquired after hacking the machine in "Battle of attack units(?)" in B route and failing to restore fatal injury by waiting the time limit.

YoRHa could not stand up to the might of the Goliaths: now their extinction is only a matter of time. It seems that mankind will never regain its former glory.

Having consumed the mackerel, it didn't take long for the android's bodily fluids to congeal. Muscle rigidity and paralysis soon followed. "It was good though," the android thought as consciousness faded. "Exquisite even. No wonder humans used to eat them..."

[L]one wolf

Chapter 10-02, acquired by running away from sphere boss fight OR in chapter 10-01_3 by running away instead of saving the refugee camp.

Fed up, 2B left the camp to its fate and decided to...go fishing? Yeah, that's it! Fishing! With a smile on her face, she packed up and headed for the coast. Ten years later, 2B would find herself hunted by both machine lifeforms and YoRHa assassins—a life she seemed to enjoy more than her previous one.

break ti[M]e

Acquired by running away from burning Pascal village.

A2 suddenly felt like taking a little stroll. Though the walk gave her a sense of peace and fulfilment, Pascal's village had been reduced to rubble when she returned.

[N]o man's village

Acquired by killing peaceful village members.

A village of peaceful machines was wiped out through the actions of one deranged android. Thus did the peaceful machines go extinct. Their village is now a haunted, forbidden place. Those who wander too close can hear the mad sounds of an android's laughter.

just y[O]u and me

Acquired by leaving the operational area from the battle grounds on route C.

Some YoRHa units abandoned their mission, the operation failed, and every android met their demise. ...Well, except for the really selfish ones. They were fine.

corru[P]tion

Chapter 11-06, acquired by dying from the virus (takes a long time).

The virus reached 2B's central nervous system. She soon lost all sense of reason, and ended up roaming the ruins until her power failed.

[Q]uestionable actions

Acquired after losing 2B on the C route (3rd lap), by not going to 2B as 9S and leaving the place.(?)

9S suddenly lost interest in 2B. No one knows why—he just didn't care anymore.

mave[R]ick

Chapter 14-05, acquired by attacking peaceful robots near pascal.

A2 had a "bright" idea that involved destroying ever machine in sight. Pascal could only watch in astonishment.

city e[S]cape

Acquired by abandoning Devola and Popola protecting you while you are hacking the tower.

Of course, Devola and Popola died. Their lifeless bodies were found shortly thereafter, each clutched tightly in the other's arms.

Caution: Handle With Care!Removal of the OS chip will result in death!

deb[U]nked

Use self-destruct while in the bunker.

By self-destructing at the Bunker, the entire structure ended up exploding in a spectacular fashion. But hey, it sure did look pretty from Earth! Somewhere in the depths of space, the Commander still floats about with a stern look on her face.

reckless bra[V]ery

Chapter 17-01, acquired by waiting until Devola and Popola are exhausted in the scene where you hack the tower.

9S decided not to hack the Tower in order to help Devola and Popola. It was a nice thought, but they all ended up getting killed anyway.

Scanner male type android who is best served when hacking, however he is still able to keep up with other close-range attackers. He has a very gentle and kind personality. The second playable character and protagonist of Branches B and D.

A prototype model that was used in order to create superior android models like 2B and 9S. She doesn't like to speak and often keeps to herself. The final playable character and protagonist of Branch C.

Accompanying support units of YoRHa. They provide support with long-ranged attacks, analysis of situations, enemies, etc. and mobility. Their names are read as "Pod zero-four-two" and "Pod one-five-three".

Communication operators of the Bunker, who provide the YoRHa with information analysis and messages from the commander. 6O is much more friendly and personal, whereas 21O is more cold and impersonal. *Please note that the "O" in their names also designate their position of Operator. Their names are read as "Operator six-oh" and "Operator two-one-oh".

A program projected by the network server of the machine lifeforms. The self-evolution program installed by the Pods eventually fractured its ego, causing the various aspects of its personality to turn on each other.

The first downloadable content for NieR: Automata titled: 3C3C1D119440927was released on the 2nd of May, 2017 and includes a few quests, items, costumes from previous NieR titles and a small story detailing the events of the machine lifeform Plato 1728.

The development of the story first began in May of 2012 when Yoko Taro teamed up with DearStage to create an idol group called "YoRHa". He created a detailed background story for the group that was published with their first and only single CD release of the songs composed by MONACA, "Normandy" and "Guadalcanal". Yoko Taro later wrote a stage play of the same name, "YoRHa", which had two significant runs:

YoRHa Ver.1.0 - October 2014, DVD released February 2015

YoRHa Ver.1.1 - May 2015

NieR:Automata was announced June 16, 2015, at E3 along with a teaser trailer. New environments and the protagonist, 2B, were shown.

A demo was released December 22nd, 2016 on the PSN store. On February 23rd, 2017, the game is released in Japan, following with North America on March 7th, 2017 and PAL on March 10th, 2017.

NieR: Automata received "generally favorable reviews", according to review aggregator Metacritic, scoring 84/100 (PC),[1] and 88/100 (PS4).[2] Most critics praised the “smooth and awe-inspiring” combat,[3] while Slant community agreed that the game has a unique take on storytelling, leading to a very entertaining experience.[4]

Some characters from NieR RepliCant and NieR Gestalt appear in this game but not as primary characters. These are revealed to be Emil, Devola, Popola, and possibly more. Previous main characters will be mentioned. [7]

There wasn't a split release like that of NieR RepliCant and NieR Gestalt.

The name of the demo, 120161128, refers to the Holocene Calendar reading of the date of its release - November 28th, 12,016 HE. The Holocene Calendar takes into account historical events of both the BC and AD eras of the Gregorian Calendar and merges them into an era known as the Human Era.

The game is said to take place sometime after Ending D of NieR but is not directly after the events of the first game.[7]

Like with Ending D from the original NieRs, there is a player choice that will lead to the deletion of all save files.

The Celestial Alphabet displayed at the end of the teaser trailer translates to "Androids, Humans, Robots". An alternative reading, according to Dengeki Online, translates to "Angels, Humans, Robots", however, this is unlikely with the revelation of the official title "NieR: Automata".

The story takes place approximately three years following the plot of Yoko's stage play, "YoRHa".[8]

YoRHa Intro Summary (by Fire Sanctuary): During the 14th Machine Armament War in the year 11,941AD, humans are near extinction. With the invasion of the “Living Machines”, humanity had no choice but to abandon the planet, taking refuge upon the Moon. Their only hope lie in an armada of specially configured androids called “YoRHa”. Programmed with human emotions and feelings, they descend upon the surface of the planet to combat the ceaseless onslaught of the Machines.

With the destruction of YoRHa No1 in the descent to the planet, No2 assumes command over all units… however reluctant and unsure of her own abilities. She remains this way throughout the entity of the play; she keeps her black “visor” on the longest…only taking it off in the final scene when she faces the machines on her own.

No2, after witnessing the destruction of her unit and the last of the Resistance, a failed YoRHa expedition hundreds of years before her time, is alone among a cold, unfeeling world ruled by machines.